Basic Needs, Bright Futures Fundraiser

Clothing is More than a Garment

Meet Leo. At ten years old, he has a heart full of dreams but often feels the weight of his circumstances. Leo lives with his mother in a small apartment, where every penny counted. Though they make do, Leo wishes for new clothes. His shoes are worn and his shirts too small, but he always wears them with a smile.

As Leo waits at the bus stop, he shivers in a thin jacket he outgrew last year. It's hard for him to ignore the stares and snickers from the children bundled in puffy coats. At school, his teacher scolds him for his poor choice of a jacket, "Leo you know that you have to have a coat to go out for recess." As he sits inside watching classmates play through the windows, he squirms under the pressure of the too-tight jacket. For kids like Leo, it is hard not to feel different. 

The Need for Support

Families experiencing economic hardship often struggle to meet their basic needs, with obtaining appropriate clothing frequently taking a backseat to more immediate concerns like rent and groceries. An estimated 80,000 children in the tristate area are currently facing clothing insecurity, often forced to wear ill-fitting, stained, or damaged clothes.  

For children like Leo, the pressure of being judged for their clothing is a daily reality. Cited as one of the top ten reasons for school absences, clothing not only protects children from the elements, but it also influences their social interactions and self-esteem. Fearing ridicule or judgement from teachers and peers alike, students experiencing clothing insecurity avoid participating in class discussions, extracurricular activities, and school events. This lack of engagement can limit their exposure to educational opportunities and hinder their personal and academic growth.

Give Like a Mother (GLAM) believes that every child deserves access to seasonally appropriate clothing that fits well and meets their individual needs. GLAM accepts gently used clothing, coats, and shoes from the community and uses these items to provide made-to-order clothing packs to babies, children, and teens in Greater Cincinnati. By providing clothing essentials at no cost to families, we prevent parents choosing between basic needs and help level the playing field for children and teens facing economic hardship.

We Need Your Help!

Our approach is unique as we distribute free, made-to-order clothing packs that include the basic essentials to children and youth who need our support. Packs include: 5 outfits, a pair of shoes, pajamas, a jacket or coat, and 5 new pairs of socks and undies. As we strive to provide each child with a school week’s worth of clothing, we face challenges in meeting these needs solely through gently used clothing donations, which are variable in quantity and quality.

To provide the basic essentials like new socks and underwear, we spend about $12 per child. As the number of children we serve continues to grow, so does the number of socks and undies we purchase to ensure each has warm feet and a clean seat! Your donation will help us cover the cost of purchasing new socks, underwear, shoes, and clothing essentials for the children and teens we serve, ensuring each has the clothing needed to feel comfortable, confident, and ready to put their best foot forward. 

Help us provide Basic Needs and Bright Futures to the local children we serve!